Wooten-type fire-box.



A. H. WILLETT.

WOQTEN TYPE FIRE BOX. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1!. Isle.

Patented June 12 1917.

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A. H. WILLETT.

WOOTEN TYPE FIRE 80X.

APPLICATION mw' FEB- 11. 1916.

Lfiw wfie Patented June 12,1917

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NEW JERSEY, ASSIGN'OR T0 t Film A CORPORATION OF DW t woornn-rrrn emu-Box.

Specification of Letters Iatent. PattentqedJume 12,, it it,

Application filed February 11, 1916; Serial No. 77,642.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, ALFRED H. WILLETT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of West New York, county of Hudson, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Impprovements in and for W0oten-Type Fireoxes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in locomotive boilers of the Wooten type which have firebox extensions within the barrel of the boiler forward of the grate.

The firebox of a Wooten type boiler differs from others chiefly in the matter of its height. The distance between the grate and the crown sheet is much less than in locomotive fireboxes of other types. The reason of this peculiarity is that Wooten fireboxes are designed for use with anthracite coal; a fuel which yields a very short flame, as compared with others, and which therefore necessitates the arrangement of the chief heating surface (the crown sheet close to the fuel bed. The height of the rebox extension, sometimes called the combustion chamber extension, is determined by the height of the crown sheet, as in other fireboxes. Another characteristic of a Wooten firebox is that the grate is placed almost on a level with the floor of the extension, and the throat sheet is extremely narrow.

It is claimed for the Wooten type firebox that by reason of its low height and nar row throat sheet there is a substantially equal distribution of the hot gases in the fines of the boiler; and that this and the attenda'nt easy maintenance of the fines and flue sheet, are advantages secured without material loss of heating value in the walls of the firebox, inasmuch as the latter are close to the fuel b'ed. Against the admitted advantages of such fireboxes, ll find that the flow of hot gases from grate to flues is so rapid and direct that the rear part of a Wooten firebox is much less efiective than i supposed. And further I find that the use of the narrow throat sheet results in the plling of both fuel and ashes upon the floor of the firebox extension, and that the lower 1.: flues of a Wooten firebox are more than often clogged and hence ineificient.

It has been suggested that a cure may be efiected by providing Wooten fireboxes with inclined refractory arches of the kind used in bituminous coa burning locomotives and which in such locomotives have served to obviate disadvantages similar to those here mentioned as pertaining to Wooten fire boxes. a But extensive experiments conducted in the past show that the lack of height in the Wooten firebox, and its narrow throat sheet, prevent the practical and eflicient use of aninclined arch of any of the ordinary kinds. Wooten fireboxes of the extensiontype are therefore customarily used without arches or. baflle walls of any land.

The object of my invention is to provide within a Wooten type firebox means which, in the absence of an inclined front arch, shall yet perform the c 'ef well-known functions of such an arch. More particularly, the object of my invention is to provide a Wooten-type firebox with a wall of refractory material,which during the operation ofthe firebox shall become practically incandescent and materially aid in both mixing and igniting the products from the burn ing fuel on the grate ;which shall prevent the direct flow of the products from the grate to the flues of the boiler, especially the lower flues thereof ;which shall divide the firebox into a fire chamber substantially co-extensive with the grate, and a combuse tion chamber substantially co-extensive with the firebox extension;-which shall limit communication between such chambers to an opening of an area substantially equaling the aggregate area of the fiues;which shall enforce the distribution of the hot gases upon all the Walls of the fire chamber and also cause the precipitation and collection of carried over ashes rearwardly. of the flues ;wh ich shall be of a construction that will permit it to be installed quickly and with little labor, and as quickly and easily removed ;which shall be of low cost and very durable ;and which shall be of a form that will permit the easy removal of the ashes or cinders which collect in the combustionchamber.

The manner in which I attain the objects next above set forth, and the nature and particulars of my invention, will be understood on reference to the drawings that form part of this specification and in which; Figure 1 is a transverse section of a Wootentype firebox embodying my invention ;Fig. 2 a longitudinal vertical section thereof Flg. 3 is a plan View of the top of the com bustion wall ;-Fig. 4 is a perspective view ilo of one of the wall sectors ;-Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the two identical key bricks -Fig. 6 is a 'perspectlve view thereof from the o posite pos1t1on;Fig. 7

shows a modified orm of wall in which a key brick of difierent form is used :-Fig. 8 is another modification; and F1 9 illustrates a further modificatlon of t e mvention.

- The familiar parts of a Wooten type firebox are as follows :--the boiler-barrel, 2;-

, throat sheet, 11;-the rear water leg, 12

the so-called firebox extension, of which 13 ,flues, 15. The grate, 16iindic'ated by dotted lines, usually occupies e whole space with-v in the confines of the mud rlng, extendlng from side to side of the firebox and from the rear sheet, 7, to the throat sheet, 11. Thefirebox-extension is all that part of the fire- 1 blqx between the flue sheet, 14, and the throat s eet.

It will be noted that a Wooten firebox is of much less height than width. Instead of attempting to employ a refractory arch extending upwardly and rearwardly from the lower part of the throat sheet, 11, to divide the firebox into fire and combustion chambers, I employ for that purpose a vertical wall, A, composed of refractory bricks, and positioned in the firebox-extension. I place this wall on the floor, 13, of the firebox-ex tension and against the sides, 13', thereof. It extends substantially to the level of the greatest horizontal diameter of the firebox extension and divides the box into a firechamber, B, which is substantially co-extensive with the grate, 16, and a combustion chamber, C, that is wholly within the firebox extension. The opening, D, which re mains between the top of the wall, A, and

the crown sheet, 6, is preferably of a size to equal the aggregate areas of the many fiues, 15..

As shown in Figsl' 1, 7 and 9, I prefer that the lower part of the wall, A, shall contain an opening, A, the bottom of which is formed by the floor, 13, of the combustion chamber, C. The purpose of this opening is to permit the eas cleaning of the combustion chamber. he opening, A, may normally be closed by a number of small bricks, E, piled therein, as shown in Fig. 2. Such small bricks may be knocked out easily whenever it is necessary. to gain access to the combustion chamber. But although, as

stated, I prefer that the wall shall contain a clean-out opening, A, I nevertheless sometimes dispense with the opening and use an imperforate wall, as indicated in Fig. 8.

An upright refractory wall positioned as masses here shown obviously prevents the flow of,

products from the fuel on the grate direct to the fines, 15, and more especially to the lower flues of theigroup. This function is,

however, performed wlthout detriment to the draft through the fuel, for under all conditions the draft is determined by. the aggregate free area of the fines and, as the openmg, D, is of substantially the same aggregate area, the draft conditions and var ing vacuum in the chamber, B, remain su stantially the same' as though the wall, A, were not present. Though the wall does not lessen the draft, it nevertheless prevents the direct flow of the gases toward the lower flues and also has the effect of retaining the products o'fcombustion in the fire chamber, B, for a comes substantlally incandescent when the fireboxis in operation and theheat thus continually stored in the wall greatly aids in the maintenance of substantially constant temperatures in the firebox and largely nullifies. the bad effect of cold air admitted through the fuel door, 10. Further, the wall, A, bafiles the flow of gases, as explained, and thereby causes the formation of conflicting currents in the chamber, B, and efiects a better mixing of the combustibles and thecertain ignition thereof in advance of their entrance to the chamber, C.

The heat in the firebox during operation is lntense and I find that the cross wall can not properly be constructed of small bricks;

that is, a wall made of bricks of common size, such as the bricks, E, resents too many corners and surfaces to t e attack of the flames and very quickly yields to the severe treatment to which it Is subjected. Such a wall is therefore'objectionable on the ground of lack of durability, A wall composed of small bricksis also objected to on the ground .of expense. Too much time and labor are required in its construction. And such a wall does not well withstand the shocks to which it is subjected in a locomotive firebox.

' For these reasons I discard bricks of small size as, the material for the cross wall, whether laid with or without mortar, and have invented a form of refractory wall which is composed of large, durable and stable elements or sections. These sections are preferably made in sizes as large as can be passed through the fuel door, 10. By

' means thereof a complete wall, A, may be sector bricks, in combination with one or ness shown in Fig. 3.

more centrally disposed key bricks.

Referring to Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 6, it will be noted that the wall is composed of six sector bricks, F, and two key bricks, G. All of the bricks, F, are of the same shape.

Likewise, the key bricks are of the same form. In other words, the complete wall is composed of large bricks of only two different shapes. These bricks are of such size that they may freely pass through the fuel door opening, 10, of the firebox, and, though large and substantial, they are of such weight that they can be handled by one man. The bricks, F, are preferably not only identical in form but are identical in dimensions.

As shown in Fig. 4:, each brick, F, is a true truncated sector of a wall of a thick- On one side, the brick is provided with an interlocking groove, 7, and on the other with an interlocking tongue or rib, f. The base, F, is preferably curved to conform to the bottom of the firebox extension. In the base is a broad groove, f, the purpose of which is to limit the contact of the base with the metal walls of the firebox and to provide space for the heads of the rivets belonging to the underlying seam, between the throat sheet of the extension. On the upper or small end of the brick, F, is an upstanding tongue, 7. When the several bric s are put together their tongues and grooves, f, f, serve to interlock them against relative movement, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. I.

A single central or key brick may at times be substituted for the component bricks, G, G, of Fig. 1, provided only that the single brick shall be small enough to pass through the fuel door of the firebox. In most cases I prefer to make the key brick in two parts, G, G, as shown, and for the purpose of interlocking them I provide them with vertical tongues and grooves, g, g. It should be understood that each brick, G, is provided with a tongue, 9, and also with a groove, 9, these being symmetrically arranged so that the groove of one brick Wlll accommodate the tongue of the other. Thus made, any key brick, G, will interlock w th any other key brick, G, said bricks being not only complementary, but also 1dent1cal.

I prefer in this manner to avoid the necessity for key bricks, G, of difierent shapes.

The vertical faces, 9 of the key bricks are thus substantially united when the bricks are placed together. The lower parts, 9 of the key bricks are used to separate or spread the two groups of bricks, F, and frame the top of the clean-out hole, A. The upper parts, 9 of the bricks, G, rest against and upon the small ends of respective bricks, F,

' and contain peripheral grooves, g, which interlock withthe top tongues, f, of the bricks, F. It is usually convenient to continue the grooves, g, downward in the spreader portions of the bricks, G, as shown in Fig. 6.

In constructing the wall, A, I usually place two bricks, F, with their ribbed sides innermost and assemble the key bricks, G, G, thereon, pushingthe bricks firmly together, The remaining bricks, F, are then placed in position, from the to bricks, F, and the two bricks, 8:, complete the wall; and when assembled, as'shown, constitute a very rigid and substantial structure, adapted to long withstand both the heavy vibration of the locomotive and the intense heat of the fire. L

There are many cases in which I find it possible to makethe clean-out opening,

smaller than shown in Fig. 1. In such cases I dispense with the spreader portions of the key brick and use a key brick, H, of substantially semi-cylindrical form, as shown in Fig. 7. Two more sector bricks may be used in this case. The sector and key bricks, I and II, are interlocked by tongues and grooves as before explained.

In F1g. 9 I have illustrated a modified form of the invention in which the bricks are formed to provide a rectangular cleanout opening, A Such an opening may be closed with small bricks, E, more readily than where the opening is of non-rectangular form. To accomplish this modification it is necessary to depart from the equilateral form for the sector bricks, for all of the sectors, J, should be modified in order that the innermost bricks may present the parallel vertical sides for the opening, A The key bricks, K, K, are correspondingly modified in that their spreader portions, in, are of rectangular form. Such key bricks may be assembled with the bricks, J somewhat more readily than the bricks, G (Fig. 1) and are no more difficult to interlock.

A solid wall may be constructed in the form shown in Fig. 8 wherein all of the bricks, L, are true truncated sectors. The tops or inner ends of the bricks, L, are interlocked by means of a central key brick, M. To the end that it may be understood that the invention is not limited-to interlocking tongues which are co-extensive with the sides of the sector bricks, I have shown The six wall and the expense of maintenance is greatly reduced by the ability to remove the bricks intact and afterward reassemble them j in their old relations.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A locomotive firebox having a combustion chamber extension forward of its grate and throat sheet, in combination with an upright refractory wall erected on the floor and against the sides of sald extension, said wall being composed of a plurality of radially positioned sector bricks and a central key rick.

2. A locomotive firebox having a combustion chamber extension forward of its grate and throat sheet, in combination with an upright refractory'wall erected on the floor and against the sides of said extension, said wall being composed of a plurality of radially positioned sector bricks and a central key brick, and said key brick serving to interlock the sector bricks. I

3. A locomotive firebox having a combustion chamber extension forward of its grate and throat sheet, in combination with an upright refractory wall erected on the floor and against the sides of said extension, said wall being composed of a plurality of radially positioned sector bricks and a central key brick, the latter comprising complementary halves.

4. A locomotive firebox having a combustion chamber extension forward of its, grate and throat sheet, in combination with an upright refractory wall erected on the floor and against the sides of said extension,- said wall being composed of a plurality of radially positioned and interlocked sector bricks and a central key brick, the latter comprising complementary interlocked halves.

reac es 5. A locomotive firebox having a combustion chamber extension forward of its grate and throat sheet, in combination with an upright refractory wall erected on the floor upright refractory wall erected on the floor and against the sides of said extension, said walls being composed of a plurality of radially positioned sectorbricks and a central key brick, the latter comprising complementary halves abutting on a vertical plane and including sector spreader portions.

7 A locomotive firebox having a combustion chamber extension forward of its grate and throat sheet, in combination with an upright refractory-wall erected on the floor and against the sides of said extension, said wall being composed of a plurailty of radially positioned sector bricks and a central key brick having a sector spreader portion.

8. A locomotive firebox having a combustion chamber extension forward of its grate and throat sheet, in combination with an upright refractory wall erected on the floor and against'the sides of said extension, said wall being composed of a plurality of radially positioned sector bricks and a central interlocking brick, and said bricks being shaped to present a rectangular clean-out opening in the lower part of the wall.

9. A locomotive firebox having a combustion chamber extension forward of its grate and throat sheet, in combination with an upright refractory wall erected on the floor and against the sides of said extension, said Wall comprising a plurality of radially positioned truncated sector bricks, and a key brick interlocked with the truncated ends of said sector bricks.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of February, 1916.

ALFRED H. WILLETT. 

